Page 21 of Blazing Reactions

Asher called power to her hands, electricity crackling in a deadly display. She felt his dragon’s approval mix with fierce pride.

The first wave of attackers met them in the corridor. Without discussion, Asher and Talon moved as one. Her lightning cut a path through Dimitri’s forces while Talon’s fire followed, their powers weaving together in a deadly dance that seemed choreographed.

“Show off,” she called as he took down three attackers with a single blast. His answering grin made her heart skip.

“Says the woman making lightning look elegant.” He spun her away from incoming fire, his hands lingering longer than necessary. “Though your form could use work.”

“Really?” She let electricity crackle over her skin, watching his eyes darken. “Care to demonstrate proper technique?”

His growl vibrated through her as he pulled her against him, using the movement to shield her from another attack. “You’re playing with fire, mate.”

“Good thing I like heat.” She twisted in his grasp to strike at approaching enemies, her back pressing against his chest. She sensed his dragon’s satisfaction at their perfect synchronization.

A blast caught Asher’s shoulder, spinning her backward. Talon’s roar shook the building as he caught her, scales rippling across his skin as his dragon surged forward. The temperature skyrocketed around them.

“I’m fine,” she assured him, though she didn’t pull away from his embrace. She felt his rage war with concern. “Though your brother really needs to work on his hospitality.”

“He’s not my brother.” His voice dropped to a dangerous growl as he checked her wound. “And he’s about to learn what happens when he hurts my mate.”

The possessive declaration sent heat coursing through her that had nothing to do with injury. Lightning arced from her hands, dropping half their remaining attackers in one devastating wave. “Like I said – I’m fine.”

His eyes blazed as he pulled her back to him, fire joining her lightning in a devastating display. “More than fine.”

They moved through the remainder of the battle in perfect sync, powers complementing naturally. When the last attacker fell, Asher could barely catch her breath through the electricity dancing between them.

TWENTY

“The lab,” Asher managed, though stepping away from him took considerable effort. “We need to assess the damage.”

The laboratory level was a mess of scorched equipment and scattered data feeds. Asher moved immediately to her main workstation, Talon close behind.

“The wards need upgrading,” she said, studying the readouts. “They’re not designed for electrical integration.” She faltered as his hands slid up her spine, making concentration nearly impossible.

“Focus.” But his voice had roughened as she leaned back into his touch.

“You first.” She turned to face him, letting sparks dance between them. “Unless you’d rather analyze security protocols?”

His response was cut off by new alarms. Multiple screens lit up with energy signatures.

“More forces incoming,” Levi’s voice crackled through comms. “Though Lori’s handling the east wing with terrifying efficiency.”

“We should help,” Asher said even as Talon’s hands tightened on her waist.

“We should.” But he made no move to release her, his eyes pure gold as he tracked every shift of her expression. She felt his dragon’s growing need to claim, to mark, to make absolutely clear that she was his.

“Later,” she promised, stretching up to brush her lips across his jaw. Satisfaction flooded her as he shuddered at the touch. “After we deal with your brother’s next temper tantrum.”

His growl rumbled through her chest. “Hold you to that.”

They turned their attention to the laboratory data, though Talon kept one hand at her waist. Each screen showed different aspects of the attack – energy signatures, breach points, power fluctuations.

“Look at this.” Asher pulled up a frequency analysis, trying to ignore how his thumb traced patterns on her hip. “The way their weapons interact with shifter energy – it’s not random. He’s studying specific responses.”

“Targeting you specifically,” Talon noted, his grip tightening. She felt his dragon’s protective fury rise.

“Maybe.” She zoomed in on one reading, electricity crackling around her fingers. “Or maybe...” She trailed off as Talon pressed closer, his scent wrapping around her. “You’re doing that on purpose.”

“Doing what?” But his smirk said otherwise as he reached past her to adjust the display, deliberately brushing against her.

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